Dear ABCNJ Friends and Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

As this year draws to a close, I am aware of how challenging it has been. We have all had to think and do ministry in new and different ways. We have seen our pastors and leaders developing new skills and our congregations finding creative ways to stay connected. In the last ten months, I have been encouraged by how the ABCNJ family has remained strong and connected with one another. You have sought to adapt to an ever-changing world.

In a world where darkness seems to prevail, we find Hope in the Light, which darkness cannot overcome. In times of uncertainty, we find Peace in the Lord and each other. In a year when we are asked to shelter in and social distance, we can reflect on the Joyous memories of friends and family. And in a season when we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus, we are reminded of God’s Love for all of humanity.

As I reflect on each of you who make up the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, I am thankful for faithful and generous supporters like you. Your giving has allowed us to respond to God’s call and mission in timely and creative ways.

This year we have provided online resources during various seasons, such as our Lenten series that appeared in multiple languages, our Maundy Thursday and Advent regional worship services, and Christmas resources that congregations could use for online worship services. We have provided resources addressing issues that have impacted our world and our churches with Covid-19, antiracism, and online ministry. Our new ABCNJ website includes these resources and programs like Sacred Safe Spaces and Camp Lebanon, aiming to strengthen and equip our pastors and congregations.

Our 50th Annual Session highlighted the many ways our congregations continue to be deeply rooted in Christ, Mission, and Love. You can still celebrate the work and ministry of our congregations by viewing the Annual Session worship on our website (www.abcnj.net/annual-session-2020), as well as five outstanding webinars presented during our pre-annual session events.

The ABCNJ regional staff and I find it a privilege and blessing for the opportunity to serve you. We are blessed to have members of the ABCNJ Council and Committees who deliberate thoughtfully and prayerfully on policy and governance, discerning what God may have in mind for our work together as a region.

We are indeed grateful for your prayers and giving to ABCNJ Region and United Mission. Your decision to give to ABCNJ throughout abundant years, as well as lean ones, is a vote of confidence in God’s work through us and together as a Region. We are thankful for your continued support and proud of your generosity. We can do more together than separate. Together with you, we continue to equip the Church to be fully engaged in God’s mission. As we serve you we experience the richness of your hearts and minds and see your love for Kingdom work. 

All of this good work cannot be done alone as individual churches. The basis of Baptist life has always been the principle that believers are never believers alone, but bound together in a covenant community. The covenant is about relationship, trust, and walking and working together. As the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, we are called to walk together and be in relationship with each other. 

We recognize that these are indeed uncertain times, and we do not know all that awaits us. Yet, we are abundantly clear that we belong to God and trust God for our future together. As we prepare for 2021 and for the years to come, we look forward to building a good and strong foundation that will lead us forward. We hope that we can count on your continued generosity and support. It is not about giving for the sake of giving to an “institution” or to “programs,” but rather, we are called to embrace a mission and a ministry that makes a difference in people’s lives. When we give, we make an impact on the entire family. 

Thank you for your support of our shared mission and life together. As God would lead you, we ask that you prayerfully consider giving a substantial year-end gift or a multi-year gift that will allow ABCNJ to plan even further out with the confidence that we are in this together. You may do so by sending a check to ABCNJ -Region Offering 2020. Or you may also go to our website abcnj.net and donate directly. Again, thank you for your current generosity and for prayerfully discerning your future giving to move us into 2021 with strength and confidence. We give all glory to God! 

I pray that the joyous expectation of this Christmas season will lead you in confident hope as you remember that the peace and the power of Emmanuel is always with us and within us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth…” (John 1:14). May God’s Word richly dwell in all of us.